Coaxial gallium arsenide single‐nanowire solar cells with multiple electrically and optically functional nanoshells are presented in this paper. Both optical absorption and light‐conversion characteristics are extensively examined by performing a comprehensive device‐oriented simulation. It is found that a window layer with a large semiconductor bandgap is necessary for the nanowire gallium arsenide solar cells, which allow internal quantum efficiency ~100% in ~75% of the absorption band of gallium arsenide. Results also reveal the role of nanofocusing effect in enhancing the performance of nanowire devices that show both absorption and external quantum efficiencies over 100% under resonances. A dielectric cladding shell is introduced and optimized, which enhances the nanofocusing effect and leads to extraordinary enhancement of both absorption and light‐conversion capabilities in a very broad band. This design contributes a short‐circuit current density increased by 2.4 times and an open‐circuit voltage over 1.1 V. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Coaxial heterojunction gallium arsenide single‐nanowire solar cells are investigated extensively by focusing on the optical absorption and the detailed light‐conversion process through performing a comprehensive device‐oriented optoelectronic simulation. Electrically functional window layer and optically functional nanoshell layer are introduced and properly optimized. The design leads to very high internal quantum efficiency and broadband absorption enhancement and thus contributes a short‐circuit current density increased by 2.4 times and an open‐circuit voltage over 1.1 V.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Broadband enhancement of coaxial heterogeneous gallium arsenide single‐nanowire solar cells



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2015




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    53.36 Energiedirektumwandler, elektrische Energiespeicher



    Gallium arsenide-on-germanium solar cells

    Iles, P.A. / Ho, F. / Yeh, M. et al. | Tema Archive | 1989


    A solar power system with gallium arsenide solar cells

    MADEWELL, J. / NUSSBERGER, A. | AIAA | 1977



    Clementine Gallium Arsenide-Germanium Solar Array

    Garner, J.C. | Online Contents | 1996